The NSDC Secretary Oleksiy Danilov met with Ambassador of Norway to Ukraine H.S. Andresen

Secretary of the National Security and Defense Council of Ukraine Oleksiy Danilov met with Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Kingdom of Norway to Ukraine Helene Sand Andresen.

The parties discussed the current security situation in the world and the region, reviewed topical issues of the agenda of Ukrainian-Norwegian cooperation and strengthening Norway's support for Ukraine on its path to victory over the russian aggressor.

Oleksiy Danilov congratulated Ms. Andersen on her appointment as Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to Ukraine and thanked the Norwegian side for the comprehensive and sustainable assistance provided to Ukraine in its fight against the russian aggressor state. "Ukraine has proved on the battlefield that there is no "second army of the world", and today we continue this fight together with our partners," he said. - "Thank you for your powerful contribution.

According to Mr. Danilov, Norway's experience will also be useful for Ukraine's post-war reconstruction. "Norway, as a socially oriented country, can help us in building a just society," he said, emphasizing that the policy of justice is one of the key guidelines of the new Ukrainian doctrine announced by President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy in his speech to the Verkhovna Rada on the occasion of the Constitution Day of Ukraine. 

The NSDC Secretary expressed his belief that "now is the right time to strengthen bilateral cooperation, as there are many areas in which our interests coincide." "russia is also present near your borders, and its strategy is to militarize the Arctic," he said.

In her turn, Ms. Ambassador expressed her belief that "russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine has demonstrated that the policy of appeasement does not work" and the world "has seen the true face of russia." According to her, Ukraine's victory is "important for the security of the whole of Europe" and it is up to Ukraine to define what a victory is for it.

Ms. Andersen informed the Ukrainian side that last year Norway provided our country with military and humanitarian aid worth over USD 1 billion. In particular, Norway sent Ukraine air defense equipment, howitzers, Leopard 2 main battle tanks, ammunition, and supported the training and education of Ukrainian pilots on F-16 fighter jets. This year, Ms. Ambassador noted, the Norwegian Parliament voted for a 5-year Nansen Program worth more than $7 billion to support Ukraine. "Norway will continue to fully support you in this battle," Ms. Andersen assured.